Download The Fluid Mosaic Model

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© Boardworks Ltd 2009
What are membranes?
Membranes cover the surface of every cell,
and also surround most organelles within
cells. They have a number of
functions, such as:
 keeping all cellular components
inside the cell
 allowing selected molecules to move in and out of the cell
 isolating organelles from the rest of the cytoplasm,
allowing cellular processes to occur separately.
 a site for biochemical reactions
 allowing a cell to change shape.
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Membranes: timeline of discovery
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Evidence for the Davson–Danielli model
When clear electron micrographs of membranes became
available, they appeared to show support for Davson–
Danielli’s model, showing a three-layered structure.
This was taken to be the
phospholipid bilayer
(light) surrounded by two
layers of protein (dark).
intracellular space (blue)
1st cell
membrane
1 light layer =
phospholipid bilayer
2 dark layers:
protein
2nd cell membrane
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Evidence for the Davson–Danielli model
Later, it was discovered that the light layer represented the
phospholipid tails and the dark layers represented the
phospholipid heads.
intracellular space (blue)
1st cell
membrane
1 light layer =
phospholipid tails
2 dark layers:
phospholipid heads
2nd cell membrane
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Problems with the Davson–Danielli model
By the end of the 1960s, new evidence cast doubts on the
viability of the Davson–Danielli model.
 The amount and type of
membrane proteins vary greatly
between different cells.
 It was unclear how the proteins
in the model would permit the
membrane to change shape
without bonds being broken.
 Membrane proteins are largely hydrophobic and therefore
should not be found where the model positioned them: in
the aqueous cytoplasm and extracellular environment.
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Evidence from freeze-fracturing
In 1966, biologist Daniel Branton used freeze-fracturing to
split cell membranes between the two lipid layers, revealing
a 3D view of the surface texture.
This revealed a
smooth surface
with small bumps
sticking out.
These were later
identified as
proteins.
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E-face:
looking up at
outer layer of
membrane
P-face:
looking down
on inner layer
of membrane
© Boardworks Ltd 2009
The fluid mosaic model
The freeze-fracture images of cell membranes were further
evidence against the Davson–Danielli model.
E-face
They led to the
development of
the fluid mosaic
model, proposed
by Jonathan
Singer and Garth
Nicholson in 1972.
P-face
protein
This model suggested that proteins are found within,
not outside, the phospholipid bilayer.
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Exploring the fluid mosaic model
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Membrane models: true or false?
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